"The Patience Of Jesus Christ"
Rev. 1: 9
Job's Patient Endurance
The patience of Job points to the patience of Christ. James said to the believers "you have heard of the patience of Job." Well may we also say, based upon the words of the apostle John in the Apocalypse,"you have heard of the patience of Christ."
In the above verses from James the word "patience" is twice used (kjv) but come from two different Greek words. The first is from "makrothymia." The Greek word for "patience" in the second instance is from "hypomonē."
Both words include, besides patience, the ideas of steadfastness, constancy, endurance, perseverance. In the NT hypomene is "characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings." Strong also says it denotes a "cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy:—enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting)."
Makrothymia includes the idea of forbearance (putting up with, or tolerating), longsuffering, and also the idea of fortitude. The New KJV uses the word "perseverance" for hypomene, which is probably the best single word equivalent for it. We may also use the word "endurance."
Patience is defined as "the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset." That certainly was exemplified in both Job and Christ. It is also true that patience is consequential from hope and expectation, from faith and belief. So the apostle Paul says "if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it." (Rom. 8: 25) He also puts faith before patience when he says it is "through faith and patience" that the promises are realized. (Heb. 6: 12) The patience of Job was great because his faith and hope were great.
Job is famous for his sufferings, yes, but more rather for his patiently enduring those sufferings with grit, perseverance, and fortitude. But, the fortitude of Christ is greater, as the antitype is greater than the type.
The Fortitude of Christ
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance (patience kjv) the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." (Heb. 12: 1-3)
Christ Jesus is set forth as an example in patience, in enduring trials and hardships, even as an innocent victim. Job too is an example, but here Christ is set forth as the greater example, a greater than Job. The fortitude of Christ and Job are our examples in patience and perseverance.
Fortitude is defined as "strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage."
This is certainly true of both Job and Christ. Both showed great courage in pain and adversity. There was strength of mind, will, and character in both. They were men of focus and purpose. Think of an athlete who finishes a race in spite of an injury or severe pain. In a good article from Got Questions, in answer to the question "What does the Bible say about fortitude?" (here), the author writes:
"Although the word fortitude is rarely used in the most popular versions of the Bible, the concept is addressed often. Instead of fortitude, the word endurance, strength, or perseverance is used more often in our Bibles. Not only is fortitude a great quality, but we are commanded to pursue it (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:3; 1 Peter 1:5–6)."
I agree. Fortitude is a good word to include in our list of words to define biblical patience. The same article continues:
"We are also instructed to have fortitude when being disciplined by the Lord (Hebrews 12:7). Rather than become bitter and turn away from God when He takes us through fiery trials (1 Peter 4:12), we are to endure, develop fortitude, and grow in our faith and character to be more like Christ (Romans 8:29). Fortitude is not needed on sunny days at the beach; it’s needed in the storms of life."
In this respect we should consider Christ Jesus as the greatest example of fortitude, to "consider Him who endured such hostility" from his trials and persecutions. He endured the agony of his scourgings, beatings, and death by crucifixion without the least murmur or complaint. These words of Isaiah are applicable to Christ in his agony.
"I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed." (Isaiah 50: 6-7)
The "grit" and fortitude of Christ are affirmed in the above words when it expresses Christ's state of mind as the setting of his face like flint. Dr. John Gill explained the meaning of this, writing:
"hardened against all opposition; resolute and undaunted; constant and unmoved by the words and blows of men; not to be browbeaten, or put out of countenance, by anything they can say or do. He was not dismayed at his enemies who came to apprehend him, though they came to him as a thief, with swords and staves; nor in the high priest's palace, nor in Pilate's hall, in both which places he was roughly used; nor at Satan, and his principalities and powers; nor at death itself, with all its terrors." (Gill's Commentary)
We see this prophesy fulfilled in the life of Christ when Luke writes these words:
"And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem." (Luke 9: 51-53)
Again, let us cite from Dr. Gill on this.
"or "strengthened his face", as the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions; set his face like a flint, as in (Isaiah 50:7) denoting not impudence, as hardening of the face is used in (Proverbs 21:29) but boldness, courage, constancy and firmness of mind: or "he prepared his face", as the Syriac; or "turned his face", as the Arabic, he looked that way, and set forward; or as the Persic version renders it, "he made a firm purpose", he resolved upon it, and was determined to go to Jerusalem, his time being up in Galilee; and though he knew what he was to meet with and endure; that he should bear the sins of his people, the curse of the law, and wrath of God; that he should have many enemies, men and devils to grapple with, and undergo a painful, shameful, and accursed death; yet none of these things moved him, he was resolutely bent on going thither, and accordingly prepared for his journey." (Gill)
In the new testament the apostle Paul exhorts Christians, "as good soldiers of Christ," to "endure hardness" (II Tim. 2: 3). Certainly Christ, the captain or commanding general, is the great example to his soldiers in regard to such endurance of hardship and trial. He exemplifies that fortitude, courage, and endurance that soldiers need in warring.
In the OT we see where the Lord many times said to his servants "be strong and of a good courage." (Num. 13: 20; Deut. 31: 6,7,23; Josh. 1 several times, etc.) Certainly the prophet Job showed great strength and good courage during his ordeal. So too did Christ. So should we as his servants. Wrote the apostle Peter:
"For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God." (I Peter 2: 19-20)
Both Job and Christ are to be highly commended and given credit for they surely, because of conscience toward God, endured great grief, and suffered wrongfully. They took it patiently.
In both cases, Job and Christ suffered their many ills through the agency of Satan. In both cases Satan was defeated. Neither Job nor Christ were overcome by their adversities.
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